2022 Orchids & Onions

Orchids & Onions is an educational and fundraising program of the San Diego Architectural Foundation, a 501(c)3, nonprofit organization dedicated to the education and the promotion of outstanding architecture, planning and urban design throughout the San Diego region. 

Orchids & Onions is the only interactive, community-based program geared towards raising awareness and encouraging practical discourse in response to San Diego’s built environment. The success of the program relies heavily upon the citizens of San Diego; public nominations and feedback about the nominations published on the O&O website are integral to planning, growth and future development of our city.

Each year, a jury of design professionals and artists is selected to determine the official Orchids & Onions based upon public submissions in categories including: architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, historic preservation and miscellaneous. The ‘Miscellaneous’ Category encompasses anything and everything that the existing categories do not; and any nomination submitted to the Miscellaneous Category that is determined to be an Orchid or Onion will be recognized in a category specific to that project.

We are excited to announce changes to the program with new categories, rules, and process in selecting the Orchids & Onions. These changes are created to promote more public participation, continue the education about our built environment, and advance the program into the future.

The online People’s Choice Vote gauges San Diegans’ opinions about the state of their region. The culmination is an enlightening and fun-filled awards presentation, promoting awareness and practical discourse about the state of our region.

We urge you to take part in this shared process. Participate!!